Camp Hearne facts for kids
Camp Hearne was a special place in Hearne, Texas. During World War II, it was a prisoner-of-war camp. This means it held soldiers captured from other countries. The camp opened in 1942. It was one of the few camps in the United States that held prisoners from all three main enemy countries: Germany, Italy, and Japan. These countries were called the Axis powers.
After the war, the United States government closed Camp Hearne. The land and buildings were sold off piece by piece. For 70 years, the site was empty. Today, you can visit a museum there. It's inside a building that looks just like the old barracks where soldiers lived.
Contents
What Was Camp Hearne?
Camp Hearne was more than just a place for prisoners. It was also the main mail center for all prisoners of war in the United States. This meant all letters sent to or from POWs in America went through Camp Hearne.
Life for Prisoners at Camp Hearne
Life at Camp Hearne was different from what many might expect. German prisoners, called POWs, had spare time. They used this time to be creative. They built amazing small models of old German castles. These castles were about waist-high. They even had tiny turrets and moats!
If you visit the old camp site today, you might still see parts of these small castles. They rise just above the weeds. It's a cool reminder of the prisoners' skills.
Why Was it Called "The Fritz Ritz"?
Some people living near Camp Hearne thought the German prisoners were treated too well. They felt the conditions were too comfortable. Because of this, they jokingly called the camp "The Fritz Ritz." This name was a playful jab. It compared the camp to a fancy hotel chain, the Ritz-Carlton. "Fritz" was a common nickname for Germans.
Camp Hearne in Books
The story of Camp Hearne has even inspired books. A German writer named Hannes Köhler wrote a novel in 2018. It's called "Ein mögliches Leben" (One Possible Life). This book focuses on Camp Hearne and the events that happened there. It tells a fictional story about the German prisoners.
See also
- List of World War II prisoner-of-war camps in the United States
- German prisoners of war in the United States
